KAXE contacted every candidate twice using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office to invite them to participate in our Election Guide.
Candidate responses have not been edited and are published as submitted.
As necessary, our news team added contextual information clearly marked with an "editor's note" and in italics, though responses have not been uniformly fact-checked. With our small team of three, we are unable to proactively fact check every statement made by candidates. But we will make every effort to make note of inaccuracies if they come to our attention.
Please contact our news team at news@kaxe.org with questions or comments or to report any errors.
KAXE's Election Guide only includes candidates in contested races. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else is on the ballot.
District 4
Burl Ives
Incumbent: Yes
Itasca County Commissioner Burl Ives died Sept. 11. He died 55 days before Election Day, so his name will remain on the ballot. If Ives were to win the election posthumously, a special election would take place in 2025 to fill the seat.
Brian Oftelie
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 67
City/Township of residence: Grand Rapids
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Retired
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
20 years in newspaper business.
20 years in custodial, factory and food service work.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
To help the people and their families live as good a life as possible.
Why are you running for office?
To help people live as good a life as possible.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
To help people find affordable housing, jobs with liveable wages, and places that are safe with clean environments.
Across the region, renters and owners are struggling to afford housing. If elected, what would you do to address the issues of availability and affordability for your constituents?
Work with housing assistant programs to get maximum funding and resources. Work with landlords, property management and real estate developers and charity organisations.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your county now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Support efforts of Environmental Protection Agency, Iron Ranges Resources & Rehabilitation Board, global warming associations, geologists, scientists and engineers working on solar/wind/hydro electric power.
High taxation is a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. Please share any specific opinions you hold related to taxation, and how you plan to ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively?
Study carefully the proposed projects to determine if they really benefit majority of taxpayers. A lot of the curb, gutter, paving is unecessary. A lot of public buildings are too exspensive.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
Too many "closed sessions" that are closed to the public. I would try to encourage people to speak out and at least contact elected officials and government workers about public concerns.
Still have questions for the candidates? Contact information for all those who've filed to run for office can be found at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.
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